Chapter 2
Lucy couldn't breathe. Her heart was racing so fast. Her palms were sweating. She felt dizzy, sick, and afraid. She blinked three times trying to deny Rosalind's face staring back at her from the screen. Lucy's eyes darted around the room until connecting with Tim's. Biting her lip, Lucy silently begged him to make this engulfing fear go away.
Then, Tim was there grasping her hand before sitting next to her. She felt Nolan's hand rubbing up and down her back as Tim whispered in her ear. She had no idea how long Nolan had tried to comfort her. She did know when Tim's eyes met hers as well as when Tim's hand took hers.
"I got you, Lucy. I'm here. Just breathe." Tim's voice broke through the fear encompassing her. " Just breathe."
Lucy would breathe. She would breathe because Tim ordered her to breathe. Inhaling deeply, Lucy took a ragged breath.
The next minutes blurred together as Tim continued to squeeze Lucy's hand. Words floated through the air …..escape ….guard …assisted….armed…dangerous….accomplices…whereabouts unknown.
Grey stepped up to the podium after the captain stepped aside. "Nolan and Harper, Lopez wants you two to assist her on the investigation. Thorsen, team up with Smitty to aid in combing through whatever you're assigned by the detectives in charge ." Grey's eyes landed on Tim and Lucy. "Bradford and Chen, see me after. Everyone keep your eyes open. Report anything you find remotely suspicious. Be safe. You're dismissed."
Tim released Lucy's hand so they could go stand before Grey. Captain Romano switched to behind Grey alerting the duo that Grey was in charge.
"Sir, I'm okay. I want in on this." Lucy's voice was strong and assertive disguising the overwhelming fear inside her.
Tim felt a ping of pride before adding." We both do."
"We are all going to be in on capturing Rosalind Dyer. However, precautions have to be made in case…" Grey paused before deciding to lay it out in front of them all."….. in case, Rosalind wants to finish what Caleb started. Lucy, we are going to put VARDA in play at your apartment ."
Tim interrupted ."She will be staying at my house."
For once, Tim Bradford didn't care what anyone thought of him. He needed to protect Lucy. It wasn't the time to care about everyone's perception of things.
"Wait, Tim." Lucy felt her face flush red. People would get the wrong idea. Sargeant Grey would get the wrong idea. The captain would get the wrong idea.
"Tamara is gone on that college trip. You don't need to be alone. Even if VARDA is put in place and officers are on guard ." Tim reasoned with her. "I can't help protect you if you're not near."
He couldn't stand the thought of Lucy being alone. Not while a maniac serial killer was on the loose. One probably out to get Lucy.
Everyone turned around when they heard Lopez's voice enter the conversation as she made her way into the room. . " I think that's a great idea. We have a detective already assigned to be Lucy's body double. Detective Carter can stay at Lucy's place as a decoy until Rosalind is caught. It won't be strange to have two other officers on guard there too."
Lucy crossed her arms over her chest defiantly. " I will not go into hiding from her! I know how to protect myself."
"Of course not. Officer Chen, you will continue your duties as well as be informed of progress in this case. However, I agree with the idea that you stay somewhere besides your own place. Sergeant Bradford, you can give her a ride to work daily until this is over. We will assign officers to your house as well. Detective Carter can be picked up by security detail from Officer Chen's apartment." Captain Romano spoke up, waving his hand dismissively. His unwavering tone wasn't open for discussion. The matter was settled.
